GARBED

FOR

GOD (M odesty/Im m odesty)

—Also for Adam

and his wife the

Lord God made tunics of skin, This Tract P resented B y and clothed

them.“ DDeeffeenndd -Genesis 3:21 TThhee GGoossppeell TTrraaccttss M ICHAEL PICKFORD www.defendthegospel.com

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mandate of God, we have seen His standards for INTRODUCTION: modesty. Make sacrifices and follow them. A few more good questions to ask when clothing yourself: To be garbed is to be dressed in a distinctive ‹ Is it doubtful? way. There is a certain, distinctive way in which ‹ Could it be a stumbling block to Christians ought to dress themselves. I’m dealing others? in this tract with how we dress when we come to ‹ Will it hurt my influence upon others for worship services, although the principles will godliness? apply. But I’m addressing the subject of how we, as ‹ Would I mind if Jesus saw me wearing this children of God, should clothe ourselves day by attire? day. Just ask yourself questions before you begin. His eye is always on you (Hebrews 4:13)! Think about the clothes you wear to work, to school, to work, to the mall, or grocery shopping, CONCLUSION: when you’re casual, when doing yard work...

In this tract, we have dealt with the idea of ‹ Are you dressed for deity? being Garbed for God. We have considered… ‹ Are you robed for righteousness? ‹ The Mind of God... ‹ Are you clothed for Christ? ‹ The Mandate of God... ‹ Are you garbed for God? ‹ The Manipulation of Godlessness…. ‹ The Modesty of the Godly. Does your clothing befit one who is What about you? You are supposed to be professing righteousness? Does your attire show professing godliness with your attire. too much of your body? Do you wear clothes that ‹ Be Garbed for God... are tight fitting, low-necked, or skimpy? Do you ‹ Dressed for Deity… wear short, tight shorts, or short dresses? Do you ‹ Robed for Righteousness… wear halter tops, or dresses with slits running way ‹ Clothed for Christ… up the leg exposing your thigh when you stand, or ‹ And you will be Properly Professing. walk a certain way, or sit down? Do you wear shirts or blouses that display your entire upper 28 1

womanhood when you bend a certain way? Many On and on we could go with the excuses people don’t even think about this kind of stuff. some people make to try and justify immodest But you need to know that as a child of God, you apparel. The point is we should never make must be concerned about the things you wear, the excuses. There is no excuse for violating the way you clothe yourself. principles set forth in the word of God. This is just There are different types of people in one of those sacrifices that some will have to make. different situations who will view the contents of The life of a Christian is a life of sacrifice. In the this tract in different ways. Those who know better first century, many Christians were asked to lay and dress appropriately will simply be reminded of down their very lives. And shamefully, we hesitate these principles and encouraged to keep doing right to lay aside our skimpy garments because of one of without allowing the world to influence their these excuses. I’m sure those folks could have standards. Those who have never heard this taught thought of some good excuses to deny the Lord just will be newly informed, and my prayer is that for a moment so they could spare their own lives. they’ll learn to dress in a more modest way in the “I’m talented, and think of how many souls I could future. Those who have heard these kinds of save if I live longer.” “I’m young and have a long lessons before, but stubbornly refuse to dress life of potential good service ahead of me.” “I’ve modestly, will be rebuked by this tract and got a family and they need to be provided for so hopefully submit their will to the will of God surely God wouldn’t mind if I denied Him just this through repentance. once so I can live on to supply for my family. After Having said all of this, let’s talk about being all, Peter denied the Lord and then repented. Why Garbed for God. When we speak of the kind of couldn’t I, just this once, to save my life and give garments which please God, I want to suggest to my family the support they need.” However, the you four things we need to be aware of. Lord commanded them to be faithful until death, in In the first place, we need to be aware of the face of death, at the expense of their lives! He the... didn’t accept excuses then for not being faithful, and He doesn’t accept them now. Dress I. MIND OF GOD modestly!!! In looking at the mind of God, and the 2 27

Excuse #8: If someone lusts after me, 1 Corinthians 2, among other passages, tells that’s there problem, not mine, they ought to us God’s mind has been revealed to us by the Holy learn to control their mind. Listen, if someone Spirit and recorded in His word. Therefore, I lusts after you, then they do have a problem they believe we can go to God’s word and see what’s in need to deal with. But, if you’re immodestly clad, His mind regarding the type of clothes that pleases then you also have a problem. You have become Him. What does He think is modest? What does guilty of “lasciviousness.” You are guilty of He view as decent? In the first place, we need to producing lustful thoughts in the minds of others. understand that God views nakedness as a symbol Jesus said in Matthew 18:6,7, “But whoever causes of shame. The Lord said in Revelation 3:18, to the one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it church at Laodicea, “I counsel you to buy from me would be better for him if a millstone were hung gold refined in fire, that you may be rich; and around his neck, and he were drowned in the white garments that you may be clothed, that the depth of the sea. Woe to the world because of shame of your nakedness may not be revealed.” offenses! For offenses must come, but woe to that Again, the Lord said in Revelation 16:15, “Behold, man by whom the offense comes” (NKJV)! I am coming as a thief. Blessed is he who Excuse #9: No one would lust after me. watches, and keeps his garments, lest he walk As far as I’m concerned this is pure selfishness. naked and they see his shame.” These passages How do you know no one will lust after you? Do are written in symbolic language. However, if you know what is attractive to other people? Do symbols are to have any true meaning at all, they you know what other people are thinking? 1 must be based upon the reality of true things. The Corinthians 2:11 says, “For what man knows the Lord was using nakedness as a symbol of shame. things of a man except the spirit of the man This is how He views it. which is in him?” Why put a potential stumbling We must also understand that when the Bible block in someone’s way because you don’t think speaks of nakedness, it’s not always talking about anyone will lust after your bare flesh? The truth is the same sense in which we normally understand it. different people have different tastes in different When we think of nakedness, we think of someone appearances in the opposite sex. who has on no clothes at all. They are bare. They are “in the nude.” The Bible does speak of 26 3

nakedness in this way. Genesis 2:25 says about Christians should compromise their activities for Adam and Eve, “And they were both naked, the the sake of modest apparel, not compromise their man and his wife, and were not ashamed.” Adam modesty for the sake of participating in certain and Eve had nothing on their bodies whatsoever. activities! However, sometimes the Bible calls someone naked Excuse #5: Brother or sister so and so when they do have some clothing on. Not much, wears this type of clothing. So what? What if but they do have some clothing on, and the Bible brother and sister so and so smoked marijuana? refers to them as naked. For example, in Genesis What if they committed adultery? What if they 3:7, we learn that the eyes of Adam and Eve were committed murder? Would this justify it? (Sadly, opened because of their sin of rebelliousness in brethren have done these things). eating the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good Excuse #6: I’m on vacation. Listen, we and evil. The text tells us they knew they were take vacations from our jobs. And we may take naked. It then tells us they sewed, or twisted, fig vacations from our home towns. But, we can never leaves together and made themselves aprons. Then, take a vacation from God and his principles. You a little later, down in verse 10, after God had come may take a vacation, or you may even go boating or down to the garden to search for Adam, when He fishing on the lake. I’m certainly not opposed to found him, He asked him why he had hid from these things and neither is the word of God. Him. Adam told God it was because he was naked. However, when we go to these places, we need to God agreed with him in verse 11 when He said, be modestly clad! We don’t let the world set our “Who told you that you were naked?” In fact, a standards in this area or any area. few verses later (Vs. 21), we are told God made Excuse #7: I’m swimming. Does this give tunics of skin for Adam and Eve. This illustrates you the right to show your body off to others? that God was not pleased with the clothing of fig Swim alone or with those of the same sex. Or, leaves they were wearing. Hence, we are beginning swim fully clad with clothing that isn’t too skimpy to see the mind of God when it comes to what or that doesn’t cling to you like sausage casings pleases and displeases Him regarding how people when wet. There’s nothing wrong with swimming, dress. but we have no right to set aside God’s standards Job 22:6 is another place in which some who when doing so. 4 25

events. A Christian will argue that it’s ok to wear had on some clothing were referred to as naked. It immodest apparel because “that’s what you’re speaks of stripping the naked of their clothing. supposed to wear while playing this sport.” I was Now, if God considered Adam and Eve naked with once speaking with a well respected “mature” the clothing they chose, the question arises; what Christian who made it clear it was acceptable for a did their clothing cover? The Hebrew word used Christian to wear immodest shorts because “they’re for “apron”, or “coverings” is Hagora, This word playing basketball.” In the town where I grew up, denotes a covering which covers the loins from the the big institutional church in town announced in abdomen down; the pubic region and hips, anything their bulletin congratulations to two of their young from the midriff or waist, often covering the upper ladies for making the high school cheerleading part of the hips. It compares to today’s woman’s team. These cheerleaders wore extremely girdle, traditional athletic shorts and the miniskirt. provocative outfits. This was acceptable because Now remember, this is what God considered naked “they are cheerleaders, and that’s what cheerleaders and shameful. The coats or tunics of skin that God are supposed to wear.” What about volley ball on clothed them with comes from the Hebrew word the beach? Is it alright for a Christian to wear two Kuttonet. Gesenius, a prominent Hebrew scholar, piece bikinis simply because that’s what you’re says about this word, “a tunic...; generally with supposed to wear when playing volley ball on the sleeves, coming down to the knees, rarely the beach? Suppose I decided to go to a nude beach. ankles. “ So, we get here a general ideal of what Would it be acceptable for me to walk around there type of garments pleased God. We get from God’s nude simply because you’re supposed to be nude on word an idea of the type of clothing which pleases a nude beach? You would say, “No, a Christian Him. should stay away from a nude beach.” To this I However, there are other passages in which say, “Amen.” And using the same sensible God was concerned about the type of clothing reasoning, I would say a Christian should stay away certain people wore. Look at Exodus 28:40-42. from any event or sport which requires him to break These breeches, or trousers, were actually the God’s principles regarding immodest dress! undergarments worn by the priests. The Hebrew Whoever said I had to go to a nude beach? word denotes something that comes just below the Whoever said I had to play certain sports? knees. Hebrew scholars all agree on this. Smith’s 24 5

Bible dictionary says the word means, “scant or and the sides of his face. The only flesh exposed full, gathered around the waist...fastened just below on his body is his hands and face. Another picture the knee by garters.” The International Standard is of three men traveling through the deserts of the Bible Dictionary says it means, “A garment Middle East. They also have their entire bodies extending from the waist to or just below the knee.” completely clothed - very completely clothed, The thigh, as defined by Hebrew words, is the including the head gear which covers the entire upper part of the leg, extending down to the knee. head, neck and sides of the face. These folks didn’t Clearly, when God clothed Adam and Eve, He need tests from the US army. They’ve had it made them clothing that covered the entire upper figured out for years. They dress like this in the hot leg, down to the knee. And when He spoke of the blazing sun because it helps keep them cool. They clothes to be worn by the Priests, He commanded would think a man foolish to go out in this kind of something that covered the upper part of the leg heat in a bikini or in scantily clad clothing. The completely, all the way down to just below the idea that it’s cooler to be naked when out working knee. So, we get an idea of the type of clothing that or playing in the sun is a myth. It’s a lie straight God’s mind thinks is modest. We get the mind of from the advertising agencies of Madison Avenue God. One man made this observation, “as and many are being deceived by it. Christians, We are spiritual priests offering up Excuse #3: It’s the style. Christians try to spiritual sacrifices to God. (1 Pet. 2:5), is it justify immodest apparel because it’s what’s in anymore right for us to display our bodies than it style. Is this a plausible reason? God’s word was for the Old Testament priests?” (Interesting doesn’t bow down to styles of men. The world’s thought) patterns and styles may change, but God’s decrees Another aspect of dress from the mind of and principles never do. Remember, we are not to God is that He doesn’t desire for women to pattern ourselves after or be conformed to the world intentionally dress up to look like a man, nor for a (Rom 12:2). Our primary style is set by the word man to intentionally dress up to look like a woman. of God, not by the London fashion shows and Deut 22:5 says, “A woman shall not wear anything designers. that pertains to a man, nor shall a man put on a Excuse #4: It’s what you’re supposed to woman’s garment.” The reason is given, “for all wear in certain events like certain sporting 6 23

I say all of this assuming that it is cooler to who do so are an abomination to the Lord your wear skimpy clothing in the hot sun. The simple God.” Listen, without trying to bind the Old fact is, it isn’t cooler to do so. When we consider Testament law, I believe we can safely say that the facts, we find that it’s actually cooler to be well what God viewed as an abomination then, He views clothed in the hot sun rather than to be scantily as an abomination now. Today, we have clad. Years ago there was an article in my small effeminate men and “butchy” women; Folks who hometown which was talking about a test the army are cross dressers trying to look and act like the had performed on this very subject. I suppose for opposite sex. The mind of God says this is an the sake of clothing the military men who were abomination! God wants men to look and act like serving in desert regions, they did tests to determine men and women to look and act like women, how a man could stay cooler in the sun. Their test regardless of what might be acceptable practice in results showed clearly that the human body stayed our society. much cooler in the sun when fully covered, as We’ve seen that nakedness is a symbol of opposed to being lightly covered. This got me to shame in the Bible. Please understand, this doesn’t thinking about how these people in Arabia and the apply within the marriage relationship. These Middle East clothed themselves. They cover things are fine within the confines of your home in themselves completely! In fact, they’re covered the presence of your spouse. Heb 13:4 says, from head to toe. “Marriage is honorable among all, and the bed I have a book put out by the National undefiled.” Naturally, God intends for spouses to Geographic Society entitled Scenes From Every enjoy the physical attributes of one another. This Land. There is one picture of a man traveling isn’t what we’re dealing with in this tract. We’re through Syria in the hot sun. He’s clothed in a full dealing with the idea of what we wear in the eye of white gown which fully covers his entire body, the public. even his arms. There’s another picture of a man In talking about being garbed for God, not who works as a mounted policeman in the Sahara. only do we see in the Bible The Mind of God in He’s extremely clothed. He even has a huge hat on what type of clothing pleases Him, we also see to block the sun, and what looks like a white towel the... wrapped around his head covering his ears, neck, 22 7

II. MANDATE OF GOD faithful until death and I will give you a crown of life.” History is very clear that many Christians A mandate is something which is required. were cruelly punished simply because they claimed God, in His word, requires a certain type of dress Jesus as their Lord. We have accounts from for those who are His children. Consider 1 historians where Christians couldn’t own land, or Timothy 2:9, 10 “In like manner also, that the even secure a job, because they claimed Jesus as women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with their Lord. I’m certain they would have been much propriety and moderation, not with braided hair or more “comfortable” if they could own land or gold or pearls or costly clothing, but, which is secure a job. But, they would’ve had to deny Christ proper for women professing godliness, with good in order to do this. History gives us detailed works” (NKJV). Paul speaks here about the accounts of how Christians were beaten, women and how they are to adorn themselves. imprisoned, stoned, and sometimes hung on crosses Hence, ladies need to especially take note here. In and burned alive. They were sometimes dressed in speaking of how the women were to adorn animal’s skins and thrown to wild beasts to have themselves, Paul used three words or phrases. The their flesh ripped apart. I’m certain they would First is “Modest apparel.” One scholar says of this have been much more “comfortable” if they would word, “the well ordering is not of dress and simply have laid aside the Lord’s principles. The demeanor only, but of the inner life; uttering indeed fact is those who are Christians are going to have to and expressing itself in the outward conversation.” endure discomforts in order to remain faithful to the This describes one whose clothing shows forth teachings of our Lord. Therefore, even if it is more discipline and self control. When other people look comfortable to wear skimpy clothing in the hot at how this individual is clothed, they see someone weather...so what!!!? God condemns this type of who is genuinely moral, respectable, self clothing and we should be willing to deal with a controlled, well mannered, and honorable. Could little bit of discomfort if necessary. Think of the this describe the “lady” whose clothing exposes discomfort the Lord endured on the cross for us! most of her flesh; clothing which shamefully With modern day air conditioning, refrigerators, displays the flesh of her body? Could this be and a convenient store on every block that sells describing the modern day swimsuits, halter tops, cold drinks, we’ve really got it pretty easy. 8 21

world is because they have justified it in their own miniskirts, and short shorts? Could this be minds with certain “excuses.” They have describing the extremely tight fitting clothes which rationalized in their minds that dressing immodestly clearly display every line and contour of the female is acceptable. Consider some of these excuses: anatomy? Even if we looked at no other words said Excuse #1: Everyone else is doing it. about how one should dress, this should be enough Christians sometimes, believe it or not, rationalize to let us have an idea of the kind of mandate God immodesty based on the fact that everyone else is has placed upon the way we dress. doing it. In light of all the passages we looked at Consider now the second word Paul uses above, this excuse should have already faded out of here. He says, “with propriety.” Some versions our minds. We are not to love the world...1 John say, “Shame fastness.” One Greek scholar says 2:15. We are not to be friends with the “‘shame fastness’ is that modesty which is fast or world…James 4:4. We are not to pattern ourselves rooted in the character.” Her clothing reflects her after the world…Romans 12:2. character. Some clothing makes women look like Excuse #2: It’s cooler and more harlots. Proverbs 7:10 speaks of the “attire of a comfortable to wear skimpy clothing in the hot harlot.” Harlots dress in such a way that either weather. This almost sounds good. However, are their flesh is exposed in plain view, or they are you willing to throw away God’s standard of thinly covered with extremely thin and tight decency for the sake of keeping a little cooler and clothes. This is not how a woman of God should being a little more comfortable? Do men and dress at any time! Yet, to the disgrace of the Lord’s women cease to lust just because it is hotter? I church, I’ve seen many ladies dressed this way, want to suggest to you that even if this was true, even in the worship services! A harlot’s dress is and I say “if” because I simply don’t believe it’s meant to produce lust in the minds of men. This true and we’ll see why it isn’t in a minute. But, clearly indicates that some clothing can produce even if it were true that skimpy clothing were more lust in the minds of men! Some years back, a group comfortable in the hot weather, this still wouldn’t of Atlanta girls were asked, “Do you seek exercise justify it. Since when is it alright to set aside what or the sun when you don a swimsuit?” The girls God has said about a thing so we can be more said, “Neither, we seek boys.” They were seeking “comfortable?” Jesus said in Revelation 2:10, “Be boys and they understood that the showing off of 20 9

their flesh would get them the attention they warning, nor speak to warn the wicked from his desired. Could these swim suits be classified as the wicked way, to save his life, that same wicked man attire of a harlot? If not, then would someone shall die in his iniquity; but his blood I will please tell me what type of clothing would be require at your hand. Yet, if you warn the wicked, considered the attire of a harlot? Mary Quant, a and he does not turn from his wickedness, nor well known London fashion designer and the from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity; inventor of the mini-skirt, said this about mini- but you have delivered your soul” (NKJV). The shirts, “Mini-skirts are symbolic of those girls who second reason people don’t know any better is want to seduce a man.” Listen, even those in the because they simply reject the knowledge when it is world recognize that this type of clothing produces given to them. People who like to wear their swim lustful thoughts in the minds of men. suits, or short skirts, or skimpy, skin tight clothing, The mini-skirt, and any other clothing which displaying themselves to the world, simply ignore displays the upper leg, or the thigh, causes lewd sermons on modest apparel, even if they hear it. thoughts in the minds of men. And considering They’ll say things like… what Paul wrote here in 1 Timothy 2, this should ‹ “That preacher is just narrow minded.” not be the purpose of the godly woman. Consider ‹ “That preacher just has a hobby horse.” what a 17 year old boy wrote to Ann Landers some ‹ “That preacher needs to come down to years back, “Sometimes it’s not in words, it’s in the earth and live in the real world.” way a girl gets herself together. The mini-skirts are They reject the warning, and they reject the a pretty good eyeful when a girl is sitting down, it’s knowledge, and they chose to remain ignorant of like she’s wearing a bikini. No normal guy can the will of God regarding modest apparel. This was look at all that flesh and not get ideas.” Dear just the case of those we mentioned in Hosea 4:6. reader, if a non-Christian 17 year old boy can We quoted God as saying “My people are recognize that this type of clothing stimulates men, destroyed for a lack of knowledge.” But, the rest of then surely those who are supposed to be godly the verse says, “Because you have rejected minded Christians can recognize it! This boy knowledge.” People simply reject the knowledge continued by saying, “Transparent blouses and that could save their souls. sweaters and jeans that fit like sausage casing are 2) The second reason people dress like the 10 19

about the way we dress. He spoke clearly against worn to get guys excited, and he wants to do more anything that would tend to incite lewd thoughts in than just look.” Like the Lord said in Luke 16:8, the minds of others (Galatians 5:18, 19). He spoke “For the children of this world are in their clearly about the principles which should guide the generation wiser than the children of light.” If a Christian woman in her dress in 1 Timothy 2:9, 10. child of this world, a non Christian 17 year old boy, So, if the Bible is so clear about this matter, why do can recognize what these types of clothing do to a we still see Christians dressing just like the world in man, then why can’t the children of light, the the summer time? I want to suggest to you two Christians, recognize it and avoid it? “Christian” reasons why so many are dressing like the world... ladies are to be garbed for God, not clothed in such 1) Ignorance. People are just not aware how a way as to produce lewd, lustful thoughts in the concerned God is about the way they clothe opposite sex! themselves. Ignorance of the word and will of God The third word Paul uses is “Sobriety” or has always been a destroying factor. God said in “Moderation.” Women are to use sound judgment Hosea 4: 6, “My people are destroyed for lack of or soundness of mind when they clothe themselves. knowledge.” People today are destroying their Ladies, do you think before you get dressed, souls by the way they dress (or undress) in public; wherever you are going? This word suggests that a because they simply do not know. There are two woman think seriously and soundly about what reasons why they don’t know. First, Preachers just she’s going to put on and wear for others to see. aren’t preaching on it. We don’t hear a lot of What do you think when you are getting dressed? sermons on immodest apparel anymore. This will One lady suggested that in order to wear clothing cause the destruction of both the preacher and those that wasn’t sexually enticing to the opposite sex, who hear him. Paul, in Acts 20:27 said that he had you should ask yourself FOUR questions before not shunned to preach the whole counsel of God. you put something on. I would suggest you ask Preachers today need to do the same. They need to these questions even when you are buying your quit dancing around the works of the flesh. They clothes. need to stop bypassing 1 Timothy chapter 2. Ezekiel 3:18,19 says, “When I say to the wicked, ‹ Is it too short? 'You shall surely die,' and you give him no ‹ Is it too tight? 18 11

‹ Is it too thin? God. The two concepts are opposed to one another, ‹ Is it too short at the neck line? just as Jesus taught. John 15:18, “If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet In view of our modern clothing, I would add two because you are not of the world, but I chose you more questions: out of the world, therefore the world hates you.” If we are truly of Christ, truly followers of ‹ Is it transparent? Jesus, the world isn’t going to like us very much. ‹ Does the slit come up too high, So, we cannot please Christ and please the world. exposing my outer thigh? We have seen what the mind of God is - what He thinks is modest. We have also seen the mandate of Furthermore, in view of the application Paul is God - the way He expects us to clothe ourselves. making here, let’s add some more questions: And, there is definitely the manipulation of godlessness. The world manipulates and tempts and ‹ Is it too gaudy? pressures us to be like it; to walk like it, to talk like ‹ Is it too loud? it, to act like it, and to dress like it. We must ‹ Is it too expensive? beware! Jesus said we need to be wise as serpents. Don’t be deceived by the plotting of the worldly. Paul is writing here in the first century. Just because everyone else is doing it, doesn’t make Other writers from the first century often describe it right. So, we have seen, regarding being the clothing of that day. Looking at what they had garbed for God... to say might give us an idea of some of the things ‹ The Mind of God... Paul may have had in mind. Seneca, who lived ‹ The Mandate of God... from 4 BC until AD 64, wrote this, “I see clothes of ‹ The Manipulation of Godlessness. silk, if clothes they can be called, affording Finally, let’s consider… protection neither to the body nor to the modesty of the wearer, and which are purchased for enormous IV. MODESTY OF THE GODLY sums” (Hmm, sounds suspiciously like our day). Another writer of that day, Pliny, spoke of “silk We’ve already pointed out God’s concern 12 17

child of God who is striving for true godliness clothes made of glass.” Other writers wrote of doesn’t want to be like an ungodly world! They clothes that clung to the female form and, in their don’t allow a godless society to set their fashion words, “left little to the imagination.” standards. In fact, The Bible makes it crystal clear This is just the type of clothing that leads the that God’s child is not to be like the world. John style and the norm in modern day American dress, tells us in 1 John 2:15-17, “Do not love the world and it’s just the type of clothing Paul condemned or the things in the world. If anyone loves the when he wrote (by the direction of the Holy Spirit) world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all these words in 1 Timothy 2:8-10. Remember that is in the world--the lust of the flesh, the lust ladies, God mandates that you adorn yourselves in of the eyes, and the pride of life--is not of the modest apparel, with propriety and moderation. Father but is of the world. And the world is Verse 10 teaches that a lady should dress in passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does clothing proper for women professing godliness. the will of God abides forever” (NKJV). James When men look at you they shouldn’t see a lot of wrote in James 4:4, “Do you not know that flesh exposed which could tend to induce lewd friendship with the world is enmity with God? thoughts. Your clothes should say to them that you Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the are a godly woman. Forget about the standards set world makes himself an enemy of God.” To these, by our godless society: Paul adds, “And do not be conformed to this ‹ Be Garbed for God... world, but be transformed by the renewing of your ‹ Be Dressed for Deity... mind, that you may prove what is that good and ‹ Be Robed for Righteousness… acceptable and perfect will of God” (NKJV). And ‹ Be Clothed for Christ… yet, this is what so many Christians seem to be ‹ And you will be Properly Professing. trying to do. They’re trying to appease both sides. They want to please their brethren and they want to Does all of this apply to the men? Should the men please their worldly friends. You may be also be concerned about how they dress? Certainly successful many times at appeasing your brethren they should! Notice the works of the flesh in and pleasing the world. But, you will never be Galatians 5:19-21. The word “Lewdness” in verse successful at appeasing the world and pleasing 19 is also translated “lasciviousness,” or 16 13

“licentiousness.” It comes from a Greek word Galatians 5 and in 1 Timothy 2, mandates that the describing anything that tends to produce lewd or Christian, man or woman, needs to be very lustful thoughts. This would include the clothes we concerned and conscientious about the way he/she wear, and these things apply to men and women. dresses. The Bible does seem to put more emphasis on the A good passage to keep in mind when you’re way women dress as opposed to they way men getting dressed, or when you’re buying clothing, is dress. And, it may be that men are more apt to Romans 13:14. “But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, have lewd thoughts than women (questionable). and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its However, to one degree or another, both men and lust.” Make no provision for the flesh to fulfill its women are prone to have lewd thoughts when they lust! look at the opposite sex in immodest dress. And Regarding being Garbed for God, we have neither the man nor the woman should wear any seen... type of clothing which might cause a member of the ‹ The Mind of God... opposite sex to “get ideas,” as that 17 year old boy ‹ The Mandate of God. put it. Jesus taught in Matthew 5:27-30 that Next, let’s consider the… committing fornication in the mind was as sinful as actual physical adultery. When a member of the III. MANIPULATION OF GODLESSNESS opposite sex lusts after you, they have a problem; but if your clothing or actions caused them to have The society we live in is going to live like the those thoughts, you also have a problem. Jesus said world. They’re not interested in a holy God. in Matthew 18:6, “But whoever causes one of They’re not interested in righteousness. They’re these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would not interested in modest apparel. The world just be better for him if a millstone were hung around wants to do what the world is doing; whatever’s in his neck, and he were drowned in the depth of the vogue, whatever’s the latest craze, or the latest fad. sea” (NKJV). Romans 14:13 says, “Therefore let “Every one else is doing it,” we often hear. But, us...resolve this, not to put a stumbling block or a The Christian knows better than this. The Christian cause to fall in our brother’s way.” So Paul, in isn’t interested in this type of mentality. The true 14 15